Acupuncture is one of the world’s oldest medical traditions, originating in China over 2000 years ago, and has evolved since into a sophisticated system which organises many complex health issues into a highly individualised treatment approach.

Single use, sterile thin hairlike needles are used to access points in the body, where vital energy (Qi) is accessible to the practitioner. The selection of points depends on the affected meridian, which has become either deficient or blocked, leading to disease.

The practitioner gathers information to conclude an overall diagnosis, taking a comprehensive medical and lifestyle history, observing the tongue and pulses, and palpation of the channels and abdomen, allowing a highly tailored treatment plan to take shape.

According to the World Health Organisation, Acupuncture has proven in clinical trials to be effective for the following conditions:

Acupuncture used in the following conditions has been shown to have some therapeutic effect:

All the above information is taken from the British Acupuncture Council

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) currently only recommends Acupuncture in the treatment for the following conditions (from www.nhs.uk) :

• Chronic tension type headaches
• Migraines

Acupuncture has been reported by patients to assist with the easing of some of the symptoms of a wide range of many other conditions. Please get in touch to find out if acupuncture can help you.

Cupping

Cupping uses heat and suction to alleviate stagnation which can occur in the meridians or muscles due to factors such as injury, overuse, exposure to cold, poor posture, and being sedentary. Heat is used to create a vacuum within the sterilised cup, which is then placed on the skin. The cup is then either left in place, or moved with the aid of massage oil to allow a deep stimulation of tissues. The purpose of cupping in Chinese medicine is to bring blood and its accompanying nutritive qualities, and vital energy (Qi) to the area to assist with healing. This treatment may be used in conjunction with needling acupoints, or may be used as a standalone treatment. There are some underlying conditions which would be contraindicated for a cupping treatment, so the inclusion to a treatment is only used when indicated by the practitioner. After a treatment there is likely to be some bruise like marks which indicate the blood has been moved to the areas of congestion for required healing.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a valued treatment approach in Chinese medicine, using the optimal temperature and burning qualities of the mugwort plant.
Direct moxibustion places the herb at the end of the inserted needle to deliver warmth and yang energy to the acupoint, and therefore meridian or muscle.
Indirect moxibustion uses a moxa stick which is lit and held above the acupoint or moved along the meridian or affected area.